Chapter Fourteen
1
A-pao ran back home, panting heavily.
His mother, Fang Qiuxia, asked, “It’s so late—where did you run off to fool around?”
A-pao said, “Mom, when I was on my way back, I passed by the village chief’s house and saw plainclothes officers go inside.”
Fang Qiuxia asked in confusion, “Plainclothes? If plainclothes officers are walking around in our village, it can’t be anything good. You—don’t wander around carelessly anymore. And about this matter, we have no evidence, so you must never talk nonsense outside, or you’ll bring trouble upon yourself.”
A-pao said, “Oh!” He thought to himself, “There must be something strange about this matter for my mother to be so cautious. I should tell Wenyan and Acai!”

2
A-pao and Acai went to the tea plantation to find Wenyan.
A-pao said, “Wenyan, I have something to tell you.” The two pulled Wenyan aside and began gesturing animatedly.
Wenyan said, “Is what you said really true?”
A-pao said, “I saw it with my own eyes. My mother told me not to tell anyone, but I think you must know about this.”
Acai asked, “Could the village chief really be an informant?”
Wenyan said, “I don’t know either. Let’s not make wild guesses. We must keep this matter secret and investigate slowly later.”
Acai said, “Oh!”
A-pao said, “Alright, that’s it. Let’s go.”
The two left. Wenyan continued working, and Laichun did not think much of it.

3
Late at night, Zhang Haiqing and Chen Ruyu disguised themselves as tea vendors and returned to the village. The two went back to the house of the old village chief, Chen Huolu. Huolu and Acai were both shocked and delighted to see Ruyu again.
Ruyu called out, “Father.”
Huolu was overwhelmed with joy. His voice trembled as he said, “It’s you! Ruyu—you’ve come back. Am I dreaming?”
Ruyu said, “Father, this isn’t a dream. We really have come back.”
Acai said, “Aunt, I’ve missed you so much.”
Ruyu said, “I’ve missed you all very much too.”
Huolu asked, “These past few years, have you been doing well? Have you suffered any grievances?”
Ruyu said, “With Haiqing by my side, although life has been a bit difficult, we have been very happy.”
Liao Meijiao and Chen Baofeng came out after hearing the voices. Meijiao asked, “So late—are there guests?”
Baofeng said excitedly, “Mom, look—it’s Aunt and Uncle back!”
Meijiao said, “Really?”
Ruyu called, “Sister-in-law!”
Meijiao said, “Oh my, I must not be dreaming, right?”
Ruyu said, “I’ve truly come back!”
The family reunited, as if in another lifetime. Meijiao said happily, “It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back. You must be very tired. Are you hungry? I’ll go cook some mixed vegetable noodles for you.”
Ruyu said, “Sister-in-law, I’m troubling you.”
Meijiao said, “Don’t say that.”
Huolu said, “Since you’ve come back, stay here.”
Ruyu said, “This… Haiqing, can we stay a few more days?”
Although Zhang Haiqing felt worried, seeing how happy Chen Ruyu was, he said, “Alright, we’ll stay a few more days. But our return must be kept secret. It must not be made public.”

4
The next day, when Acai went to find Wenyan, the siblings Yutang and Yuhui were also there.
Acai said, “Wenyan, I have good news for you. My aunt and uncle have come back.”
Wenyan asked, “You mean Teacher Ruyu and Teacher Zhang Haiqing have returned?”
Acai said, “Yes, they came back secretly last night.”
Wenyan said, “I’ve missed them very much. Can you take me to see them?”
Acai said, “Sure, I’ll take you.”
Yutang said, “Then you go. We’re heading back.”
Wenyan said, “Mm.”
Laichun came to the doorway and asked, “Wenyan, it’s almost time for dinner. You’re going out?”
Wenyan said, “I’m going to Acai’s house. I’ll be back soon.”

5
At dusk, Acai brought Wenyan home. In the living room, Wenyan saw Chen Ruyu and Zhang Haiqing (He Yunxuan).
Wenyan said, “Teacher, during the years you were gone, I missed you very much.”
Ruyu said, “Wenyan, you’ve grown so tall. I heard from Acai that you and Baofeng are studying at Keelung High School.”
Wenyan said, “Mm! Teacher, why didn’t Teacher Wang Wenbo and Aunt Qingyun come back with you?”
Ruyu and Haiqing glanced at each other. Haiqing said, “Ruyu, tell the child the truth.”
Ruyu said with a gloomy expression, “Wenyan, when we fled the village that year, on the mountain road Teacher Wang Wenbo was accidentally bitten by a venomous snake. Because we could not expose our whereabouts, he forced himself to follow us. Not long after, the poison took effect and he died. At that time, we could only bury him hastily.”
Hearing the news of Wang Wenbo’s death from Ruyu, Wenyan was stunned. Trembling, he said, “How could this happen? Teacher Wenbo…”
Haiqing let out a long sigh. “Sigh… one can only say life and death are decreed by fate…”
Wenyan wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and asked, “Then what about Teacher Qingyun?”
Ruyu said, “After Wenbo passed away, Qingyun was heartbroken and wanted to follow him in death. Haiqing and I persuaded her to stop. She saw through the illusions of the mortal world and shaved her head to become a nun at Pilu Chan Temple in Houli, Taichung.”
Baofeng said, “Wenyan, just like you, I was very sad when I heard that Teacher Wang had passed away…”
Wenyan asked, “Teacher Ruyu, will you leave again?”
Ruyu said, “We may not be able to stay here for long.”
Wenyan said disappointedly, “Oh…”

6
Yutang and Yuhui returned home.
Yutang said, “Father, Mother, Aunt Ruyu and Uncle Haiqing have come back.”
Wu Zu said, “When did Ruyu and the others return?”
Yuhui said, “We met them at Acai’s house.”
Qingwen said, “Why did they come back at this time? Don’t they know it’s very dangerous? The authorities are still hunting them.”
Wu Zu said, “Husband, this is Ruyu’s family home. It is only natural for them to return to the village to visit relatives and friends.”
“Yuhui, Yutang, go wash up, finish your homework, and go to bed early if there is nothing else.”
Qingwen immediately sent the two children back to their room.
Yutang said, “Alright,” and he went back to the room with his younger sister.
At that moment, Liao Qingwen pretended to be calm and sat on the sofa, thinking about how to deal with the situation.
Wu Zu said in a warning tone, “Husband, you had better not act rashly or think about secretly reporting to the authorities.”
Qingwen pretended nothing was wrong and said, “Am I that kind of person? Don’t think nonsense.”
Wu Zu said coldly, “How could I not guess what you are thinking?”
Liao Qingwen pretended nothing was wrong and walked back to the room. Wu Zu became suspicious and followed him. She saw Liao Qingwen dialing the phone and shouted to stop him, “Liao Qingwen, what are you doing calling right now?”
Qingwen immediately hung up and stammered, “No… nothing.”
Wu Zu said sternly, “I caught you. You were clearly calling to inform on them.”
Qingwen said angrily out of shame, “Yes, I was about to call the Bureau to inform on them, because I don’t want to be dragged down by Chen Ruyu and the others.”
Wu Zu covered her face and cried out, “Liao Qingwen, are you even human? Before, you already betrayed your brother-in-law and the villagers, causing their families to be destroyed. And now you still want to harm Ruyu? Heaven! What wrong did I commit in my previous life to marry a husband like you? Haven’t you heard that justice is clear, and good and evil will eventually be repaid? Aren’t you afraid that your wrongdoing will bring retribution upon our descendants?”
Qingwen’s attitude softened, and he said, “Actually, I don’t want to go that far…”
“Your brother-in-law’s family had no grudges with us. You have already caused their family to be destroyed, and yet you still refuse to wake up and want to frame Ruyu again. If your informing is discovered, think about what will happen to our family. Please, use your conscience and stop doing these immoral things. Don’t let us live in fear because of you… calm down and think about it.” Wu Zu appealed to reason and explained the stakes, urging Qingwen to think calmly.
At that moment, the telephone rang, and Qingwen answered it.
“I am Section Chief Xing Aihua. Village Chief Liao, why did you hang up after saying only two sentences just now? Have suspicious individuals appeared in Lukou Village?” asked Xing Aihua from the other end of the line.
“Reporting to Section Chief, no, nothing. I was just testing the phone to see whether the line with the Bureau was working properly.”
Xing Aihua asked suspiciously, “Is that so? You are not lying to me?”
Qingwen said, “Really, nothing happened.” Liao Qingwen quickly hung up the phone.
Qingwen said, “This is bad. I am worried I have alerted them. Section Chief Xing seems suspicious.”
Wu Zu asked anxiously, “Then what should we do?”
Qingwen said, “Given Section Chief Xing’s style, he might immediately bring a large force to search the village. We must notify Chen Ruyu and the others to leave at once.”
Wu Zu said, “There is no time to lose. I will have Yutang go inform Ruyu immediately.”

7
In the office of Director Gu Zhengwen at the Xindian Security Bureau.
Gu Zhengwen said, “From what you say, this Liao Qingwen probably has a problem.”
Xing Aihua said, “Director, should I lead a team to search Lukou Village?”
Gu Zhengwen said, “If Liao Qingwen has changed his stance due to pressure from relatives and friends, your operation may return empty-handed. However, you should still make the trip. Perhaps those suspicious individuals have not yet left the village. Do not forget, there are also the two key figures, Lü Heruo and He Yunxuan, whom we have not captured.”
Xing Aihua said, “Yes, Director. I will lead the team up the mountain immediately.”
Xing Aihua returned to the office and immediately gave orders, “Captain, notify all officers and soldiers to gear up at once. Tonight we are going to Lukou Village to search for suspicious individuals.”
The military police captain said, “Yes, Section Chief.”

8
Liao Yutang arrived at Huolu’s house, out of breath. “Something’s wrong, something’s wrong! Sir!”
Chen Huolu asked, “What happened? Why are you so panicked?”
Yutang said, “My father told me to come and inform Aunt Ruyu that plainclothes officers are coming up the mountain to arrest people!”
Chen Huolu said, “How would the plainclothes officers know that Ruyu and the others have returned?”
Yutang said, “I am not clear about the details. My father told me to come and inform you immediately.”
Zhang Haiqing said, “Since the village chief sent word, it must be true. Ruyu, let’s pack up and leave quickly.”
Aijiao also said, “If that’s the case, you must leave at once.”
Chen Huolu said, “Yes, yes, you must go quickly.”
Aijiao said, “I’ll go help you pack.”
Wenyan said, “Teacher Haiqing, you should leave quickly.”
Baofeng said, “Aunt, Uncle, take care.”

9
Late at night, Xing Aihua led a team of military police to Lukou Village. Along the way, it drew the attention of the villagers, who opened their windows to look. The vehicles stopped in front of Liao Qingwen’s house. Inside the room, Liao Qingwen and his wife heard the sound of the military truck engine.
Liao Qingwen said, “Those uniformed ones have indeed come!”
Wu Zu complained, “This is all because of you!”
Liao Qingwen said, “There is no use saying that now. They must have bad intentions. We must deal with this carefully.”
The couple walked to the door and opened it. Xing Aihua led a group of subordinates straight into the house.
Wu Zu said with a forced smile, “I’ll go make tea.”
Xing Aihua said, “No need. We are here on official business. Village Chief Liao, where are the suspicious individuals?”
Liao Qingwen pretended ignorance and asked, “No, there are no suspicious individuals.”
Xing Aihua said, “Stop pretending. Didn’t you call me this evening?”
Liao Qingwen said, “No, sir. I already said on the phone that I was just testing whether the line was working.”
Xing Aihua said, “Is that so? Then why did you hang up in such a hurry? I had not even finished speaking.”
Liao Qingwen said, “I’m sorry, sir, for causing your misunderstanding.”
Xing Aihua said, “I do not believe this is a misunderstanding. You must be hiding something.”
Liao Qingwen said, “Sir, I am innocent. I have absolutely nothing to hide.”
Xing Aihua said, “Fine. Since you refuse to speak, I will personally lead the search house by house.”
Xing Aihua turned and instructed his subordinates, “First team, follow me to search every house. Second team, search the back mountain. Third team, led by the captain, seal off the main entrances and exits. We will regroup here at dawn.”
Everyone replied, “Yes, sir.”
Xing Aihua said, “If you encounter suspicious individuals, try to keep them alive. Begin the operation.”

10
The first team knocked on doors one by one, waking the villagers. The villagers were very nervous about the late-night visit from the military police, but they cooperated. For a time, the whole village became unsettled.
The second team searched in the mountains. Chen Ruyu and Zhang Haiqing hid in a concealed place, watching the military police pass in front of them, not daring to breathe loudly.
On the main roads at the entrances and exits of Lukou Village, Xing Aihua directed the third team to set up blockades, appearing well-trained.
Wenyan and Laichun stood at the door watching a team of military police leave.
Laichun asked, “What is happening tonight? Why are so many military police coming to the village to arrest people?”
Wenyan said, “Mother, let’s go inside, and I will tell you.”
Wenyan and Laichun returned to the living room and closed the wooden door.
Wenyan said, “Mother, the military police are here to arrest Teacher Ruyu and Teacher Haiqing.”
Laichun asked, “What? Have they returned to the village?”
Wenyan said, “Yes, Acai told me that Teacher Ruyu had come back, so I went to his house to see them.”
Laichun asked in confusion, “Then how did the authorities know they had returned?”
Wenyan said, “I do not know. Yutang came to inform Teacher Ruyu that plainclothes officers were coming up the mountain to arrest people, and that they had to escape quickly.”
Laichun said, “Oh, I see. The village chief did the right thing. After all, they are relatives. He would not abandon his own younger sister-in-law.”

11
At the entrance of the village chief’s house, the military police were forming up. Xing Aihua walked toward Liao Qingwen.
Xing Aihua said in a warning tone, “Village Chief Liao, if there are really suspicious individuals who have infiltrated the village, I want you to notify me immediately. Do not think about hiding them. You know that harboring spies is a serious crime.”
Liao Qingwen said submissively, “Sir, I have a wife and children. How would I dare to harbor spies?”
Xing Aihua said, “I suppose you would not dare.” He turned to face the military police and ordered, “Alright, let’s withdraw.”
The military police boarded the transport trucks one after another, and the vehicles started and drove away.
Liao Qingwen let out a sigh of relief and said, “That was close. Frightening but safe.”
Wu Zu said, “You must have been possessed to do something so wicked!”
Liao Qingwen said, “Didn’t you already tell Yutang to go notify them?”
Wu Zu said sternly, “I am warning you. You had better not do this kind of thing again, or I will fight you to the end.”
Liao Qingwen said, “Alright, alright, I understand.”
The couple turned and went back into the house.

12
Near noon that day, the villagers gathered in front of the village chief’s house, agitated. Qingwen and his wife came out of the house.
Villager A asked loudly, “Village Chief, what exactly happened last night? Why did so many military police come into our village and search house by house?”
Villager B echoed, “Yes, what exactly happened? You should explain it to us.”
Liao Qingwen said with a forced smile, “Nothing. Someone probably reported that suspicious individuals were coming and going in our village, which alerted the military.”
Villager C said, “Who would be so despicable as to report it?”
Liao Qingwen said with an innocent expression, “I do not know either.”
Wenyan, Laichun, Axi, and Aiyu also arrived at the entrance and squeezed into the crowd.
Villager D said, “The person who reported this must be found, or they will keep coming to disturb our village, and we will not be able to live normally.”
Liao Qingwen said, “I will definitely investigate this matter. Please rest assured.”
Villager A asked, “Village Chief, you must guarantee that this will not happen again.”
“Yes, yes!” the villagers echoed.
Liao Qingwen said with a bitter smile, “How could I dare to guarantee such a thing? As long as someone reports it, they will come to search. You should understand the military’s style.”
Villager B said angrily, “Damn it, are you a useless village chief? What kind of nonsense are you talking about?”
Villager C said, “Unless you give us a clear explanation, we will not leave.”
Laichun tried to mediate and said, “Why force the village chief like this? As the village chief, he does not want this to happen either.”
Villager A said, “What do you know?”
Axi shouted back, “My husband and A-chun’s husband were both taken by the military and executed. We are victims too. Why can’t we speak?”
Everyone argued at once, creating chaos. Chen Huolu stepped forward and stood in front of Liao Qingwen.
Chen Huolu said, “Everyone calm down and listen to me. I am your former headman. My eldest son Qiwang and my eldest grandson Tianqi were both taken by the military and executed. My second son Qitai was shot to death at Yuanshan. I understand the suffering in everyone’s hearts. I hope you can trust the character of the village chief and stop making things difficult for him.”
Villager D said, “Alright, since the elder has spoken, let’s disperse.”
Villager C said, “Alright, let’s go back.”
The gathered villagers gradually left, and Liao Qingwen and Wu Zu let out a sigh of relief.
Liao Qingwen said gratefully, “Thank you for helping me out of this situation.”
Chen Huolu patted Qingwen on the shoulder and said, “Do not say that. You have helped me a lot as well. We help each other.”

13
Wenyan and Laichun returned to the main hall of the courtyard house.
Wenyan said, “Mother, I want to tell you something A-pao told me recently. I find it very strange.”
Laichun asked, “What did A-pao tell you?”
Wenyan said, “He said that one night he saw several plainclothes officers going in and out of the village chief’s house.”
Laichun asked in surprise, “Is that true?”
Wenyan said, “Yes, I also find it strange. Mother, do you think the village chief might be…”
Laichun thought for a moment and said, “But that does not make sense. If the village chief were colluding with the military, why would he have Yutang go inform Teacher Ruyu to escape? That does not add up.”
Wenyan said, “That is exactly what I cannot figure out.”
Laichun said, “Alright, since the village chief notified Teacher Ruyu, it means he is not the one who reported it. Let us not make wild guesses. I believe in his character.”
Wenyan fell silent for a moment and said, “Yes, Mother, what you said makes sense.”

14
(One year later)
In the library, Wenyan, Yutang, Mingdao, Baofeng, and Xiao Qiao sat together studying. Xiao Qiao and Baofeng sat on either side of Wenyan, while Mingdao and Yutang sat opposite them.
Xiao Qiao clung to Wenyan, and Wenyan was teaching her how to solve a math problem.
“This question is actually not difficult. You just need to…”
Xiao Qiao said, “Oh, I understand! Wenyan, you are amazing! I cannot do this one either.”
Wenyan said, “For this one, you need to start from…”
Baofeng kept glancing at Wenyan and Xiao Qiao, looking distracted.
Mingdao watched their closeness and felt jealous.
Yutang said, “Baofeng, stop looking around and focus.”
Baofeng said, “Mind your own business.”
Baofeng complained, “Wenyan, you are so biased. I have many questions I cannot solve, but you only teach Xiao Qiao.”
Wenyan raised his head and said, “Yutang and Mingdao can teach you too.”
Baofeng said, “They are not as good as you. I want you to teach me.”
Mingdao said, “Why is there such a big difference?”
Yutang said, “Exactly. We seem like fools.”
Xiao Qiao said, “Shh, be quiet. You are so noisy.”
At that moment, there was a knocking sound on the window. Everyone turned and saw A-pao and Acai standing outside waving. Yutang opened the window.
Yutang asked, “How did you get into the school?”
A-pao said, “We climbed over the wall.”
Baofeng said, “Climbed the wall? Aren’t you afraid of being caught?”
A-pao said, “We are not students here. What is there to be afraid of?”
Acai complained, “You all ignore us. We are so bored.”
Baofeng said, “Brother, can’t you see we are preparing for exams? Go back.”
At that moment, a whistle sounded, and Instructor Ma Weide and a guard arrived.
Instructor Ma asked, “Hey! Who are you? How did you get in?”
Acai said with a foolish smile, “We climbed over the wall.”
Instructor Ma warned loudly, “Leave immediately, or I will take you to the police station.”
A-pao said, “Brother, don’t be like that. We came to find friends.”
The guard asked Wenyan and the others, “Are they your friends?”
Wenyan and the others shook their heads in unison.
A-pao said, “You are not loyal at all.”
Acai said, “A-pao, let’s go.”
The two walked to the wall, preparing to climb over.
Instructor Ma chased after them and asked, “What are you doing?”
A-pao said, “Climbing out.”
Instructor Ma said impatiently, “Use the main gate. It is over there.”
Acai said, “So we can use the main gate? Then we will use it next time.”
The guard said, “Get out of here now.”
A-pao said, “Alright, no need to be so fierce.” The two swaggered out of the school gate.

15
On the day the results were announced, Wenyan and the others arranged to meet outside the wall of Keelung High School to check the list.
Wenyan said, “Great, all five of us are staying at Keelung High School.”
Xiao Qiao said, “Then we can be together every day.”
Yutang said, “Let’s find a place to celebrate.”
Wenyan said, “Let’s go to the fish market to find A-pao and Acai.”
Baofeng said, “You are going to take advantage of my brother’s fish soup again?”
Wenyan said, “Your brother would not be that stingy.”
Mingdao said, “Then let’s go find them.”

16
Wenyan and the group arrived at the fish market.
Baofeng said, “The high school entrance results came out today. All five of us stayed at the same school.”
Acai said, “That’s good. So you finally remembered us.”
Yutang said, “We came to celebrate with you.”
A-pao said, “Since we are celebrating, it should be special. How about Acai and I take you out to sea on a bamboo raft?”
Xiao Qiao said excitedly, “Yes! Let’s go out to sea.”
A-pao said, “I will prepare some fishing rods and catch squid and fresh fish to cook.”
Mingdao said, “Great idea. I have never gone fishing at sea before.”
The group began to get busy.